# Container freight prices surge 130% since February

> Global shipping costs jumped 130% since February 2026 as Middle East tensions rise.
- Title: Container freight prices surge 130% since February | Shortify
- Summary: Global shipping costs jumped 130% since February 2026 as Middle East tensions rise. Global container freight rates surged 130% since February 2026 due to…
- Keywords: global container freight rates, middle east tensions, suez canal, jefferies report, shipping costs, india trade, Container, freight, prices, surge, 130, since
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/global-container-freight-prices-surge-130-since-february-amid-middle-east-tensions-jefferies/articleshow/135045563.cms
- Author: ANI
- Published: 2026-10-19T09:58:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: global container freight rates, middle east tensions, suez canal, jefferies report, shipping costs, india trade
## Global freight rates surge
Global container freight rates have surged 130 percent since February 2026 amid renewed tensions in West Asia.

> Freight rates have risen 130 per cent since Feb-26, due to the impact of Middle-East tensions.
## Rate increase impact
Rates rose from USD 2,000-2,500 in February 2026 to USD 4,000-4,500 in October 2026.
## India trade growth
India's container trade grew 23% year-on-year in September 2026 with exports to the US up 48%.
## Regional trade shifts
Exports to UAE and Saudi Arabia declined 12-15% year-on-year in September 2026.
## Suez Canal factor
Jefferies highlighted shipping lines returning to Suez Canal as key factor amid Middle East tensions.

> The potential impact of shipping lines' return to the Suez Canal, despite Middle East tensions, is a key monitorable.
## Trade flow impact
Higher freight rates may slow India's export-import growth as trade flows expand.
## Key takeaway

Global container freight rates surged 130% since February 2026 due to Middle East tensions.